Four hundred mules his silver shall convey,130
Fifty wagons you’ll need to bear away
Golden besants, such store of proved assay,
Wherewith full tale your soldiers you can pay.
Now in this land you’ve been too long a day;
Hie you to France, return again to Aix;135
Thus saith my Lord, he’ll follow too that way.”
That Emperour t’wards God his arms he raised
Lowered his head, began to meditate.
X
That Emperour inclined his head full low;
Hasty in speech he never was, but slow:140
His custom was, at his leisure he spoke.
When he looks up, his face is very bold,
He says to them: “Good tidings have you told.
King Marsilies hath ever been my foe.
These very words you have before me told,145
In what measure of faith am I to hold?”
That Sarrazin says, “Hostages he’ll show;
Ten shall you take, or fifteen or a score.
Though he be slain, a son of mine shall go,
Any there be you’ll have more nobly born.150
To your palace seigneurial when you go,
At Michael’s Feast, called in periculo;
My Lord hath said, thither will he follow
Ev’n to your baths, that God for you hath wrought;
There is he fain the Christian faith to know.”155
Answers him Charles: “Still may he heal his soul.”
XI
Clear shone the sun in a fair even-tide;
Those ten men’s mules in stall he bade them tie.
Also a tent in the orchard raise on high,
Those messengers had lodging for the night;160
Dozen Serjeants served after them aright.
Darkling they lie till comes the clear daylight.
5
